CYCLING enthusiasts saddled up for a ride through the Yorkshire Dales which raised £3,300 for the international WaterAid charity.

Eighty riders took part in the annual Kelda Sportive, organised by the parent company of Yorkshire Water, which visited Ingleton.

Fifty-mile and 80-mile circular routes were created from Grimwith Reservoir, near Hebden, both meandering through the heart of the Yorkshire Dales taking in places such as Grassington, Stainforth, Malham and Appletreewick. The 80-mile route extended as far north as Ingleton

The fastest time on the 50-mile route was three hours and 55 minutes, achieved by Neil Dewis, of Hebden Bridge, and the fastest time on the 80-mile route was four hours and 32 minutes, achieved by Andy Stoneman of Valley Striders Cycling Club in Leeds.

Stephen Nutter, organiser of the cycling challenge, said: “Cycling in the Yorkshire Dales is as popular as it has ever been and this was the third year of the Kelda Sportive, which is going from strength to strength. We raised £3,300 for WaterAid which was more than we achieved last year and we’d like to thank all the riders for taking part in what was a great sporting day.”

Over the next few years, Kelda and Yorkshire Water aim to raise £1 million for WaterAid to help bring clean water to 130,000 people in Ethiopia.